Being Mindful Stories

Joke · Ajahn Brahm

The parrot ordered whiskey

As told by Ajahn Brahm in 13 Emptiness - Ajahn Brahm November 2013

1 min read

The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

there was this guy sitting next to a parrot and then when the flight attendant came said can I get you something to drink the parrot said give me whiskey you who the flight attender was really shocked and really confused and the guy said no can I have a cup of tea please and the flight attendant still in shock you know went to the galley and brought a whiskey back for the parrot and the guy said no my cup of tea

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 41:17 (to 41:48)

A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

On a budget flight, a rude parrot gets whisky after whisky while its neighbour's tea never comes. When the man copies the parrot's rudeness, both are thrown out of the plane. As they tumble, the parrot says: you complain a lot for someone who can't fly. Ajahn Brahm laughs. Don't copy bad behaviour. It won't carry you.

In brief (our summary)

Passenger and parrot on a cut-price airline; attendant asks for drinks; parrot demands whiskey; attendant shocked; passenger only wants tea.

Teaching point

Even AirAsia seats can teach emptiness — and bad manners.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in 13 Emptiness - Ajahn Brahm November 2013 · 2012-11-04 · ▶ watch from 41:17 to 41:48 · BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media

1 other telling of this story

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'you who'/'you co' = you whore / you cow (parrot swearing).

The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version

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